CN112087540B

CN112087540B - Folding device, display screen module and mobile terminal

Info

Publication number: CN112087540B
Application number: CN201910516738.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 贺景松; 林斌; 李松
Original assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co Ltd
Current assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-06-14
Filing date: 2019-06-14
Publication date: 2021-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 2039-06-14
Also published as: RU2740043C1; EP3751383A1; WO2020248448A1; CN112087540A; JP2021530006A; US10831242B1; JP7080254B2; EP3751383B1

Abstract

The disclosure provides a folding device, a display screen module and a mobile terminal. The folding device comprises a power assembly, at least one moving assembly connected to the power assembly and at least one group of connecting rod assemblies movably connected to the moving assembly, wherein the connecting rod assemblies are used for movably connecting a flexible panel, and the power assembly is fixedly arranged relative to the flexible panel. The moving assembly moves under the driving of the power assembly, the connecting rod assembly moves along with the moving assembly and rotates relative to the moving assembly, and at least part of the flexible panel moves under the pushing of the connecting rod assembly and is in a folded state or an unfolded state. The power assembly drives the moving assembly to move so as to control the flexible panel to act and be in a corresponding folding state or unfolding state, and the control is convenient.

Description

Folding device, display screen module and mobile terminal

Technical Field

The disclosure belongs to the technical field of electronic equipment, and relates to a folding device, a display screen module and a mobile terminal.

Background

The mobile terminal is provided with a display screen module which is used as an output device of the mobile terminal to convert the related information into image information which can be recognized by a user, so that the user can conveniently obtain the related image information. With the development of display screen technology, the structural performance of the display screen is also improved day by day. In order to enlarge the screen area of the display screen module and reduce the whole size of the mobile terminal.

In the related art, the display screen module may employ a flexible display screen having a deformable and bendable property. For example, the flexible display screen is applied to mobile terminals such as mobile phones. However, in the application of the flexible display screen in the mobile terminal, a manual folding mode is usually adopted, automatic folding or unfolding cannot be realized, and the user experience is poor.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of this, the present disclosure provides a folding device, a display module and a mobile terminal.

Specifically, the present disclosure is realized by the following technical solutions:

according to a first aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a folding apparatus, comprising a power assembly, at least one moving assembly connected to the power assembly, and at least one set of linkage assemblies movably connected to the moving assembly, the linkage assemblies being configured to movably connect a flexible panel, the power assembly being fixedly disposed relative to the flexible panel;

the moving assembly moves under the driving of the power assembly, the connecting rod assembly moves along with the moving assembly and rotates relative to the moving assembly, and at least part of the flexible panel moves under the pushing of the connecting rod assembly and is in a folded state or an unfolded state.

In one embodiment, the power assembly drives the moving assembly to move along a straight line.

In one embodiment, the power assembly is in screw drive connection with the moving assembly.

In one embodiment, the power assembly includes a power member and a transmission member connected to the power member, and the at least one moving assembly is connected to the transmission member, and the power member drives the transmission member to rotate, so that the at least one moving assembly moves along the axial direction of the transmission member.

In one embodiment, the power assembly further comprises a supporting member spaced apart from the power member, and the transmission member is mounted on the supporting member and rotatably connected to the supporting member.

In one embodiment, the moving assembly is provided with two or more than two moving assemblies and is separated by a preset distance, and the power assembly can drive the moving assemblies to move synchronously.

In one embodiment, the link assembly includes left and right stays respectively connected to the moving assembly, the left and right stays respectively connected to the flexible panel, and the left and right stays are relatively unfolded or folded with movement of the moving assembly.

In an embodiment, each of the left stay bar and the right stay bar includes a stay bar portion, and a first connection end and a second connection end respectively located at two ends of the stay bar portion, the first connection end is movably connected to the moving assembly, and the second connection end is movably connected to the flexible panel.

In one embodiment, the first connection end and/or the second connection end is provided with a spherical connection portion.

In one embodiment, the left and right struts are symmetrically distributed.

In one embodiment, the link assembly is pivotally connected to the moving assembly.

In one embodiment, the moving assembly includes a moving body movably connected to the power assembly and a rotating portion provided on the moving body, and the connecting rod assembly is rotatably connected to the rotating portion.

In an embodiment, the rotating portion includes at least one connecting boss protruding from the moving body, and the link assembly is rotatably connected to the connecting boss.

In one embodiment, the connecting boss is provided with a spherical groove, and the connecting rod assembly is movably connected to the spherical groove.

According to a second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a display screen module, comprising a flexible panel and at least one folding device as described above, wherein the flexible panel is provided as a flexible display screen.

In one embodiment, the flexible panel comprises a panel main body and a bracket main body mounted on the panel main body, and the folding device is mounted on the bracket main body and can drive the bracket main body to fold or unfold so as to enable the panel main body to be at a corresponding angle.

In one embodiment, the bracket main body includes a first flat plate portion, a second flat plate portion, and a hinge portion connecting the first flat plate portion and the second flat plate portion, the power assembly is mounted to the hinge portion, and the link assembly is movably connected to the first flat plate portion and the second flat plate portion.

In an embodiment, the hinge portion includes a first side link, a second side link, and at least one middle link distributed in parallel between the first side link and the second side link, the first side link, the second side link, and the middle link are hinged, the first flat plate portion is movably connected to the first side link, and the second flat plate portion is movably connected to the second side link.

In an embodiment, the first flat plate portion is provided with at least one first connecting portion, the second flat plate portion is provided with at least one second connecting portion, and the connecting rod assembly is movably connected to the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion respectively.

In one embodiment, the first connecting portion is provided with a first spherical connecting groove, and the connecting rod assembly is rotatably connected with the first spherical connecting groove; and/or, the second connecting part is provided with a second spherical connecting groove, and the connecting rod assembly is rotatably connected with the second spherical connecting groove.

In an embodiment, the flexible panel further comprises at least one hinge assembly, and the hinge assembly is used for connecting the first flat plate part, the second flat plate part and the hinge part, so that the first flat plate part, the second flat plate part and the hinge part are connected into a whole and can rotate relatively.

In one embodiment, the flexible panel further comprises at least one limiting component mounted to the hinge portion, the limiting components being connected to the first and second flat plate portions, respectively, to limit the folded or unfolded size of the flexible panel.

According to a third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a mobile terminal, including:

a processor;

a memory for storing processor-executable instructions;

wherein, the mobile terminal also comprises the display screen module.

The technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the disclosure can have the following beneficial effects:

the power assembly drives the moving assembly to move so as to control the flexible panel to act and be in a corresponding folding state or unfolding state, and the control is convenient. One end of the connecting rod assembly is movably connected to the moving assembly and rotates along with the movement of the moving assembly, the other end of the connecting rod assembly is connected to the flexible panel, and the connecting rod assembly pushes at least part of the flexible panel to be unfolded or folded in the moving process, so that the flexible panel moves stably and is ingenious in structure.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a folding device coupled to a flexible panel according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a folding device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exploded configuration of a folding device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a display screen module according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged schematic view of a structure at a in fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of a display screen module according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a confinement assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a mobile terminal shown in accordance with an example embodiment.

In the drawings, a power assembly 10; a power member 11; a transmission member 12; a speed governor 13; a moving assembly 20; a moving body 21; a rotating section 22; a connecting boss 23; a spherical recess 231; a connecting rod assembly 30; a left stay 31; a stay portion 311; a first connection end 312; a second connection end 313; a right stay 32; a support 40; a flexible panel 50; a holder main body 51; the first flat plate portion 511; the first connection portion 5111; a first spherical coupling groove 5112; a second flat plate portion 512; the second connecting portion 5121; a second spherical coupling groove 5122; a hinge section 513; a first edge link 5131; a second edge link 5132; an intermediate link 5133; a panel main body 52; a hinge assembly 53; a hinge boss 531; a resilient tab 532; an elastic member 533; a defining assembly 54; a mounting block 541; a limit pin 542; a movable block 543; a slide hole 5431; a mobile terminal 60; a processing assembly 61; a memory 62; a power supply assembly 63; a multimedia component 64; an audio component 65; an input/output (I/O) interface 66; a sensor assembly 67; a communication component 68; a processor 69.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the accompanying drawings, like numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The implementations described in the exemplary embodiments below are not intended to represent all implementations consistent with the present disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

The terminology used in the present disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and/or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It is to be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various information, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one type of information from another. For example, first information may also be referred to as second information, and similarly, second information may also be referred to as first information, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "at … …" or "when … …" or "in response to a determination", depending on the context.

Flexible displays are flexible display devices made of flexible materials that can be morphed and flexed. The mobile terminal can be applied to mobile phones, tablet computers, game equipment and other mobile terminals, so that the display area range of the mobile terminal is large, a small storage space can be obtained through folding and the like, and the mobile terminal is convenient to carry.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the folding device includes a power assembly 10, at least one moving assembly 20 connected to the power assembly 10, and at least one set of linkage assemblies 30 movably connected to the moving assembly 20, the linkage assemblies 30 being used for movably connecting a flexible panel 50, and the power assembly 10 being fixedly disposed relative to the flexible panel 50. The moving assembly 20 moves under the driving of the power assembly 10, the connecting rod assembly 30 moves along with the moving assembly 20 and rotates relative to the moving assembly 20, and at least part of the flexible panel 50 moves under the pushing of the connecting rod assembly 30 and is in a folding state or an unfolding state.

At least a portion of the flexible panel 50 is movable under an external force to place the flexible panel 50 in an expanded or collapsed state. The folding device is provided in a central region of the flexible panel 50, wherein the position of the power assembly 10 relative to the flexible panel 50 is fixed. Optionally, the power assembly 10 is secured to the flexible panel 50 such that the relative positions of the two are unchanged. Alternatively, the power assembly 10 and the flexible panel 50 are both mounted to the mobile terminal, wherein the power assembly 10 is fixed to a fixed base of the mobile terminal to keep the relative positions of the power assembly 10 and the flexible panel 50 fixed.

A first end of the linkage assembly 30 is movably coupled to the moving assembly 20 and a second end of the linkage assembly 30 is rotatably coupled to the flexible panel 50. In one embodiment, the linkage assembly 30 is pivotally connected to the moving member 20 such that the linkage assembly 30 can rotate in a universal direction and a wide range of rotational angles relative to the moving member 20. The spherical movable connection can limit the movable range of the connecting rod assembly 30 and transmit the push-pull force transmitted by the moving assembly 20 to the flexible panel 50, and the force transmission effect is good.

When the moving assembly 20 moves under the driving of the power assembly 10, the position of the moving assembly 20 gradually changes, and the first end of the link assembly 30 moves in synchronization with the moving assembly 20 and rotates relative to the moving assembly 20, and accordingly, the angle of the link assembly 30 relative to the moving assembly 20 changes. Accordingly, the second end rotates relative to the flexible panel 50 to accommodate the change in angle of the linkage assembly 30, and the flexible panel 50 moves and changes attitude under the drive of the linkage assembly 30. One end of the connecting rod assembly 30 is movably connected to the moving assembly 20 and rotates along with the movement of the moving assembly 20, the other end of the connecting rod assembly 30 is connected to the flexible panel 50, and the connecting rod assembly 30 pushes at least part of the flexible panel 50 to unfold or fold in the moving process, so that the operation is stable, and the structure is ingenious.

Wherein the movement of the flexible panel 50 includes a single-sided movement or a double-sided movement. That is, the link assembly 30 is connected to one side of the flexible panel 50, and the flexible panel 50 can move on one side and not move on the other side under the push of the link assembly 30. Alternatively, the link assembly 30 is connected to both sides of the flexible panel 50, and the flexible panel 50 can move both sides simultaneously under the push of the link assembly 30. The moving assembly 20 moves under the driving of the power assembly 10, accordingly, the flexible panel 50 gradually closes or opens to a corresponding angle along with the movement of the moving assembly 20, and the angle control effect is good. The power assembly 10 drives the moving assembly 20 to move so as to control the flexible panel 50 to be in the folded state or the unfolded state, and the control is convenient. In an alternative embodiment, the moving assembly 20 is provided with at least one set of linkage assemblies 30 such that the linkage assemblies 30 can move the flexible panel 50. It should be noted that the moving assembly 20 is provided with two or more sets of connecting rod assemblies 30, so that the moving assembly 20 can drive the flexible panel 50 to move through the sets of connecting rod assemblies 30 during the moving process, and the connecting range is wide and the operation efficiency is high.

The power assembly 10 moves the moving assembly 20 such that the linkage assembly 30 is movable relative to the moving assembly 20. Optionally, the power assembly 10 rotates or twists the moving assembly 20 to cause the flexible panel 50 to unfold or fold under the action of the connecting rod assembly 30. The linkage assembly 30 is rotatably coupled to the moving assembly 20 and rotates under the torsional or tangential force of the moving assembly 20 to pull the flexible panel 50 to close or open. In an alternative embodiment, the power assembly 10 drives the moving assembly 20 to move along a straight line, so that the moving assembly 20 moves under the pushing or pulling force of the power assembly 10, the displacement accuracy is high, and the controllability of the deployment angle of the flexible panel 50 is good.

The power assembly 10 drives the moving assembly 20 to move linearly, so that the moving direction of the moving assembly 20 is controllable. For example, the power assembly 10 and the moving assembly 20 are provided as a rack and pinion moving mechanism; or, the power assembly 10 and the moving assembly 20 are set as a cam link moving mechanism; alternatively, the power module 10 and the moving module 20 are screw-nut mechanisms. In an alternative embodiment, the power assembly 10 is in screw-drive connection with the moving assembly 20 to form a lead screw-nut mechanism. Wherein, the power assembly 10 drives the moving assembly 20 to precisely move along a linear direction, so as to control the position accuracy of the moving assembly 20. The power assembly 10 and the moving assembly 20 are in screw driving connection, the driving force is large, the transmission is stable, and the structural stability is good.

The power assembly 10 is in screw driving connection with the moving assembly 20 to form a lead screw nut structure. In an alternative embodiment, the power assembly 10 includes a power member 11 and a transmission member 12 connected to the power member 11, the at least one moving assembly 20 is connected to the transmission member 12, and the power member 11 drives the transmission member 12 to rotate so as to move the at least one moving assembly 20 along the axial direction of the transmission member 12.

The power member 11 is a power element such as a micro motor, and the transmission member 12 is connected to the power member 11 to transmit torque. Alternatively, the power member 11 is disposed on the speed regulator 13, and the speed regulator 13 may be configured as a reduction box, a transmission case, or the like, so as to adjust the rotation speed of the transmission member 12. Optionally, the transmission member 12 is attached to the output shaft of the power member 11. In an alternative embodiment, the transmission member 12 is provided with a threaded structure, one or more moving assemblies 20 are threadedly connected to the transmission member 12, and the moving assemblies 20 are connected to the flexible panel 50 by the linkage assembly 30. When the power member 11 drives the transmission member 12 to rotate, the one or more moving assemblies 20 simultaneously move along the axial direction of the transmission member 12, and the transmission effect is good.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, in an alternative embodiment, the moving assembly 20 is provided with two or more than two preset distances, and the power assembly 10 can drive the moving assembly 20 to move synchronously, so that the flexible panel 50 is stressed at multiple points, the movement is stable and balanced, and the stress effect is good. In one embodiment, two moving assemblies 20 are disposed and spaced apart from each other on the transmission member 12, and each moving assembly 20 is connected to a connecting rod assembly 30, wherein two connecting rod assemblies 30 are connected to the flexible panel 50 and spaced apart from each other. When the power member 11 drives the transmission member 12 to rotate, the two moving assemblies 20 move simultaneously, and the connecting rod assembly 30 acts in unison and drives the flexible panel 50 to move synchronously, so that the linkage effect is good.

The transmission member 12 is provided as a lead screw structure that extends in an axial direction to guide the movement of the moving assembly 20. In an alternative embodiment, the power assembly 10 further includes a supporting member 40 spaced apart from the power member 11, and the transmission member 12 is mounted on the supporting member 40 and rotatably connected to the supporting member 40. The transmission member 12 is fixed to the power member 11 and is erected on the support member 40, and the rotation stability is good. Optionally, the moving assembly 20 is movable on the transmission member 12 between the power member 11 and the support member 40. The supporting member 40 is spaced apart from the power member 11, and the transmission member 12 is rotatably connected to the supporting member 40 to maintain the transmission member 12 in a stable rotational position. The support member 40 can improve the rotational stability and rotational accuracy of the transmission member 12, particularly when the transmission member 12 is long in size.

In an alternative embodiment, the supporting member 40 includes a bearing housing and at least one bearing mounted to the bearing housing, and an inner ring of the bearing is connected to the transmission member 12 to smoothly rotate the supporting transmission member 12 and provide a supporting force. Optionally, when the number of the moving assemblies 20 connected to the transmission member 12 is two or more, the supporting members 40 are distributed between two adjacent moving assemblies 20 and located outside the stroke of the moving assemblies 20, so as to maintain the dimensional stability of the transmission member 12, reduce the deflection amount of the transmission member 12 under the reaction force of the flexible panel 50, and improve the moving precision of the moving assemblies 20.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the linkage assembly 30 is used to connect the moving assembly 20 and the flexible panel 50 such that an amount of movement generated during movement of the moving assembly 20 is converted into an amount of unfolding or folding movement of the flexible panel 50. In one embodiment, the link assembly 30 includes a left brace 31 and a right brace 32 respectively connected to the moving assembly 20, the other ends of the left brace 31 and the right brace 32 are respectively connected to the flexible panel 50, and the left brace 31 and the right brace 32 are relatively unfolded or folded along with the movement of the moving assembly 20.

One end of each of the left brace 31 and the right brace 32 is movably connected to the moving assembly 20, and the other end is movably connected to the flexible panel 50. Optionally, the left brace 31 and the right brace 32 are located on the same side of the moving assembly 20 to drive one portion of the flexible panel 50 to bend and move closer to the other portion to form a folded state; or one part of the flexible panel 50 is driven to bend and move away from the other part to form an unfolded state, the connection range with the flexible panel 50 is wide, and the driving is convenient. Optionally, the left stay bar 31 and the right stay bar 32 are positioned at two sides of the moving assembly 20 and are oppositely arranged to drive the flexible panels 50 positioned at two sides of the power assembly 10 to be synchronously bent, and the two parts of flexible panels 50 are synchronously bent and folded to form a folded state; or the two parts of the flexible panel 50 are synchronously bent and unfolded to form an unfolded state, so that the synchronism is good and the bending efficiency is high.

In an alternative embodiment, each of the left brace 31 and the right brace 32 includes a brace portion 311, a first connection end 312 and a second connection end 313 respectively located at two ends of the brace portion 311, the first connection end 312 is movably connected to the moving assembly 20, and the second connection end 313 is movably connected to the flexible panel 50.

The left brace 31 and the right brace 32 have substantially the same structure and are rod-shaped structures, and the first connection end 312 and the second connection end 313 are disposed at two ends of the brace 311. The first connection end 312 is used for movably connecting the moving assembly 20 so that the first connection end 312 can rotate relative to the moving assembly 20. Optionally, the first connection end 312 is rotatably connected to the moving assembly 20. For example, the first connection end 312 is hingedly connected to the moving assembly 20. Still alternatively, the first connection end 312 and the moving assembly 20 are connected by a universal ball structure.

In an alternative embodiment, the first connection end 312 is provided with a spherical connection portion, which includes a spherical convex structure with at least a partially spherical curved surface, such as a sphere, a hemisphere, a partially spherical surface, etc., and the maximum dimension of the spherical connection portion is larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the strut portion 311 to form the convex structure. The spherical connecting portion of the first connecting end 312 is connected to the moving assembly 20, and accordingly, the moving assembly 20 is provided with a spherical groove 231 to define the spherical connecting portion and form a universal ball structure, so that the first connecting end 312 rotates relative to the moving assembly 20.

The structure of the first connection end 312 and the structure of the second connection end 313 are the same or similar, for example, the structure of the first connection end 312 and the structure of the second connection end 313 are both configured as spherical connection portions. The first link end 312 is configured differently than the second link end 313, and in an alternative embodiment, the second link end 313 is hingedly connected to the flexible panel 50 and is capable of rotating relative to the flexible panel 50. Optionally, the second connection end 313 includes a first rotation portion 22 intersecting with the strut portion 311 and a second connection portion 5121 rotatably connected to the first connection portion 5111, and the second connection portion 5121 is rotatably connected to the flexible panel 50, so as to implement universal rotation of the second connection end 313, which is good in rotation effect.

The left brace 31 and the right brace 32 are correspondingly arranged on two sides of the moving assembly 20 and can rotate simultaneously relative to the moving assembly 20. In an alternative embodiment, the left brace 31 and the right brace 32 are symmetrically distributed, so that the flexible panel 50 is stressed uniformly, and the unfolding angle is consistent.

In one embodiment, the moving assembly 20 includes a moving body 21 movably connected to the power assembly 10 and a rotating portion 22 disposed on the moving body 21, and the connecting rod assembly 30 is rotatably connected to the rotating portion 22.

The moving body 21 is connected to the power assembly 10 and can move under the driving of the power assembly 10 to push the connecting rod assembly 30 to move, and the transmission effect is good. Alternatively, the power assembly 10 is screw-driven to connect with the moving body 21 so that the moving body 21 is linearly moved by the power assembly 10. The moving body 21 is provided with a threaded hole, and the power assembly 10 is provided with a transmission member 12 screwed into the threaded hole. The moving main body 21 moves along the axis direction under the driving of the power assembly 10, and the connecting rod assembly 30 rotates in the moving process of the moving main body 21 to drive the flexible panel 50 to be unfolded or folded, so that the connection is convenient, and the linkage effect is good.

In one embodiment, the rotating portion 22 includes at least one connecting boss 23 protruding from the moving body 21, and the connecting rod assembly 30 is rotatably connected to the connecting boss 23. The rotating part 22 is disposed on the moving body 21 and rotatably connected to the connecting rod assembly 30, and the connecting boss 23 is protruded on the moving body 21 to form a boss structure. The link assembly 30 is coupled to the coupling boss 23, which can enlarge the moving range of the link assembly 30 and improve the assembling efficiency of the link assembly 30. Optionally, the connecting boss 23 is provided with a spherical groove 231, and the connecting rod assembly 30 is movably connected to the spherical groove 231, so that the connecting rod assembly and the connecting rod assembly rotate in a universal manner and the rotating range is wide.

In a specific embodiment, two connecting bosses 23 are provided and are respectively connected to the left brace 31 and the right brace 32, wherein the first connecting ends 312 of the left brace 31 and the right brace 32 are both provided with spherical connecting portions matched with the spherical grooves 231, so that the mutual limiting effect is good, and the mechanical transmission performance is good.

As shown in fig. 4 and fig. 5, the folding device disclosed in the above embodiment is applied to the display module, so that the display module is automatically folded, and the user experience is good. In an embodiment, the display module comprises a flexible panel 50 and at least one folding device as disclosed in the above embodiments, the flexible panel 50 being provided as a flexible display.

The flexible display screen can be bent under the action of external force so as to be in a folded state or in a tiled unfolded state. The folding device is arranged on the flexible display screen, can drive the flexible display screen to move, and is convenient to operate. In addition, the folding device can also control the flexible panel 50 to be at a preset angle, so that the folding device is convenient for a user to operate or view and is flexible to use. Optionally, the display screen module is provided with a folding device which moves the flexible panel 50 under program control. Optionally, the display screen module is provided with two or more folding devices, and the folding devices are distributed on the flexible panel 50 at intervals and can synchronously drive the flexible panel 50 to move, so that the moving stability of the flexible panel 50 is improved, and the stress balance of the flexible panel 50 is also improved. For example, the display screen module is provided with two folding devices, the two folding devices respectively approach from two ends of the bending part of the flexible panel 50 to the middle direction, so as to enlarge the contact area between the folding devices and the flexible panel 50, and the display screen module has high connection strength and wide stress surface.

In an alternative embodiment, when the two folding devices are close to each other, the two folding devices can share one supporting member 40, so as to improve the utilization rate of resources and space. I.e. the driving members 12 of the two folding devices are coaxially arranged and the ends of the driving members 12 are rotatably connected to the same supporting member 40.

In one embodiment, the flexible panel 50 includes a panel main body 52 and a bracket main body 51 mounted on the panel main body 52, and the folding device is mounted on the bracket main body 51 and can drive the bracket main body 51 to fold or unfold so as to make the panel main body 52 at a corresponding angle. The panel main body 52 is used to output image information, which can be bent without affecting the display effect. The bracket main body 51 is mounted to the panel main body 52 so that the panel main body 52 maintains a corresponding shape. For example, the panel main body 52 is held in a laid-open state by the support of the bracket main body 51; alternatively, the panel main body 52 is partially bent to be folded or unfolded by a corresponding angle under the support of the stand main body 51.

Alternatively, the bracket main body 51 is made of a rigid material, and at least a part of the bracket main body 51 can be bent to bring the panel main body 52 to fold. The folding device is mounted at the bending part of the bracket main body 51 to drive the bracket main body 51 to execute bending action, and the driving is convenient.

In one embodiment, the bracket main body 51 includes a first flat plate portion 511, a second flat plate portion 512, and a hinge portion 513 connecting the first flat plate portion 511 and the second flat plate portion 512, the power assembly 10 is mounted on the hinge portion 513, and the link assembly 30 is movably connected to the first flat plate portion 511 and the second flat plate portion 512.

The panel main body 52 covers one side of the stand main body 51, and the folding device is positioned at the other side of the stand main body 51 and fixed to the hinge part 513. The power assembly 10 drives the moving assembly 20 to move, so that the connecting rod assembly 30 drives the first flat plate portion 511 and the second flat plate portion 512 to perform a bending action, and then the control panel main body 52 is in an unfolded or folded state, which is convenient to operate.

The hinge portion 513 is connected to the first flat plate portion 511 and the second flat plate portion 512 to define a bending portion of the bracket main body 51, the bending portion is controllable, and the state controllability of the panel main body 52 is good. Alternatively, when the folding device is configured such that the power module 10 is configured as a screw nut structure, the rotation axis of the power module 10 is parallel to the bending center line of the hinge portion 513.

As shown in fig. 4 and 6, the hinge portion 513 needs to provide a rigid support for the panel main body 52 in addition to bending the first flat plate portion 511 and the second flat plate portion 512. In an alternative embodiment, the hinge portion 513 includes a first side link 5131, a second side link 5132, and at least one intermediate link 5133 disposed in parallel with the first side link 5131 and the second side link 5132, the first side link 5131, the second side link 5132 and the intermediate link 5133 are hinged, the first plate portion 511 is movably connected to the first side link 5131, and the second plate portion 512 is movably connected to the second side link 5132.

The first edge link 5131, the second edge link 5132 and the at least one intermediate link 5133 are parallel to each other, and when the panel body 52 is in the folded state, the edges of the first edge link 5131, the intermediate link 5133 and the second edge link 5132 approach or draw together to form an arc-shaped structure, so as to maintain the stability of the structure and shape of the panel body 52. When the panel main body 52 is in the unfolded state, the first side link 5131, the intermediate link 5133, and the second side link 5132 are laid flat by a tensile force to maintain a supporting force to the panel main body 52. In addition, the first side link 5131, the intermediate link 5133, and the second side link 5132 are sequentially hinge-connected, and the hinge part 513 has good structural stability.

The folding device is mounted on the hinge portion 513, and optionally, the folding device is mounted on the intermediate link 5133, so that the first flat plate portion 511 and the second flat plate portion 512 control the hinge portion 513 to bend under the action of the connecting rod assembly 30, and the linkage effect is good. Alternatively, the number of the intermediate link 5133 is set to be singular, the folding device is installed to the intermediate link 5133 and the hinge portions 513 are symmetrically disposed with respect to the folding device to make the folding smooth. For example, the intermediate link 5133 is provided with three pieces, wherein the folding means is fixed at the intermediate link 5133 at the intermediate position.

Alternatively, a folding device is mounted to the hinge portion 513 and connected to the first and second

flat plate portions

511 and 512 to control the movement of the stand main body 51. Optionally, the folding device is fixed on the fixed frame, and the first flat plate portion 511 and the second flat plate portion 512 are both connected with the folding device, so that the folding device can drive at least one of the first flat plate portion 511 and the second flat plate portion 512 to move, thereby changing the moving state of the display screen module. In one embodiment, the first flat plate portion 511 is provided with at least one first connecting portion 5111, the second flat plate portion 512 is provided with at least one second connecting portion 5121, and the connecting rod assembly 30 is movably connected to the first connecting portion 5111 and the second connecting portion 5121, respectively. The first connection portion 5111 and the connecting rod assembly 30 move, so that the connecting rod assembly 30 transmits the acting force to the first connection portion 5111 under the driving of the moving assembly 20. When the folding device is provided with two or more sets of link assemblies 30, the first flat plate portion 511 is provided with a first connecting portion 5111 corresponding to the link assembly 30, and the second flat plate portion 512 is provided with a second connecting portion 5121 corresponding to the link assembly 30, so that the connecting effect is good.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the link assembly 30 is connected to the first flat plate portion 511 and the second flat plate portion 512 and is rotatable with respect to the first flat plate portion 511 and the second flat plate portion 512 to avoid interference. In one embodiment, the first connecting portion 5111 is provided with a first spherical connecting groove 5112, and the connecting rod assembly 30 is rotatably connected to the first spherical connecting groove 5112; and/or, the second connecting portion 5121 is provided with a second spherical connecting groove 5122, and the connecting rod assembly 30 is rotatably connected with the second spherical connecting groove 5122.

The second connecting end 313 of the left stay 31 is connected with the first spherical connecting groove 5112, and the second connecting end 313 of the right stay 32 is connected with the second spherical connecting groove 5122, so that the connecting rod assembly 30 can rotate relative to the first connecting part 5111 and the second connecting part 5121, the rotating range is wide, and the connecting effect is good. The first spherical connecting groove 5112 and the second spherical connecting groove 5122 can bear the pulling force and the pushing force of the connecting rod assembly 30, and the stress performance is good.

In an embodiment, the flexible panel 50 further includes at least one hinge assembly 53, wherein the hinge assembly 53 is used to connect the first flat plate portion 511, the second flat plate portion 512 and the hinge portion 513, so that the first flat plate portion 511, the second flat plate portion 512 and the hinge portion 513 are connected together and can rotate relatively. In an alternative embodiment, the hinge assembly 53 includes hinge bosses 531, an elastic tab 532 movably connected to each hinge boss 531, and an elastic member 533 installed corresponding to the elastic tab 532, wherein the elastic tab 532 elastically abuts against a member to which the adjacent hinge boss 531 is connected under an elastic force of the elastic member 533.

For example, the elastic protrusion 532 is hinged to the first flat plate portion 511, and the elastic protrusion 532 abuts against the first side link 5131. The elastic protrusion 532 is hinged to the second plate 512, and the elastic protrusion 532 is elastically abutted to the second side link 5132. The elastic projection 532 is hinged to the first side link 5131, and the elastic projection 532 is elastically abutted against the middle side link. The flexible panel 50 is interlocked by the elastic projection 532 and the elastic member 533, so that an interlocked elastic force is formed between the adjacent first flat plate portion 511, second flat plate portion 512, first side link 5131, second side link 5132 and intermediate link 5133, which has an effect of an auxiliary force or a damping force, and the movement of the flexible panel 50 is more stable. Optionally, the elastic member 533 is provided with a torsion spring.

As shown in fig. 4 and 7, in an embodiment, the flexible panel 50 further includes at least one defining component 54 mounted to the hinge portion 513, and the defining component 54 is connected to the first flat plate portion 511 and the second flat plate portion 512, respectively, to define a folded or unfolded size of the flexible panel 50. In an alternative embodiment, the limiting member 54 is hingedly connected to the first flat plate portion 511 and the second flat plate portion 512, respectively, to improve the rotational flexibility of the first flat plate portion 511 and the second flat plate portion 512 with respect to the hinge portion 513. Optionally, three limiting members 54 are disposed and spaced apart from the hinge portion 513.

In an alternative embodiment, the limiting assembly 54 includes a movable block 543, a mounting block 541, and a limiting pin 542 fixedly connected to the mounting block 541, and the mounting block 541 is fixedly connected to the hinge portion 513. The movable block 543 has a long groove-shaped sliding hole 5431, and the limit pin 542 is inserted into the sliding hole 5431 and slides along the length direction of the sliding hole 5431 when the hinge portion 513 is deformed. The hole wall of the sliding hole 5431 defines the limit sliding position of the limit pin 542, and then controls the limit unfolding or folding positions of the first flat plate part 511 and the second flat plate part 512, so that the limiting effect is good, and the flexible panel 50 is prevented from being damaged due to external force.

As shown in fig. 8, the display module disclosed in the above embodiment is applied to a mobile terminal to improve the flexibility of the display module and improve the space utilization. In one embodiment, a mobile terminal includes: a processor; a memory for storing processor-executable instructions; the mobile terminal further comprises a display screen module disclosed in the embodiment, and the display screen module is in communication connection with the processor.

For example, the mobile terminal 60 may be a mobile phone, computer, digital broadcast terminal, messaging device, game console, tablet device, medical device, fitness device, personal digital assistant, translator, or the like.

The mobile terminal 60 may include one or more of the following components: processing component 61, memory 62, power component 63, multimedia component 64, audio component 65, input/output (I/O) interface 66, sensor component 67, and communication component 68.

The processing component 61 generally controls overall operations of the mobile terminal 60, such as operations associated with display, telephone calls, data communications, camera operations, and recording operations. The processing assembly 61 may include one or more processors 69 to execute instructions to perform all or a portion of the steps of the method described above. Further, the processing component 61 may include one or more modules that facilitate interaction between the processing component 61 and other components. For example, the processing component 61 may include a multimedia module to facilitate interaction between the multimedia component 64 and the processing component 61.

The memory 62 is configured to store various types of data to support operation at the mobile terminal 60. Examples of such data include instructions for any application or method operating on the mobile terminal 60, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, videos, and so forth. The memory 62 may be implemented by any type or combination of volatile or non-volatile memory devices, such as static random access memory 62(SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory 62(EEPROM), erasable programmable read only memory 62(EPROM), programmable read only memory 62(PROM), read only memory 62(ROM), magnetic memory 62, flash memory 62, magnetic or optical disks.

The power supply component 63 provides power to the various components of the mobile terminal 60. The power components 63 may include a power management system, one or more power sources, and other components associated with generating, managing, and distributing power for the mobile terminal 60.

The multimedia component 64 includes a screen that provides an output interface between the mobile terminal 60 and the user. In some embodiments, the screen may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and a Touch Panel (TP). If the screen includes a touch panel, the screen may be implemented as a touch screen to receive an input signal from a user. The touch panel includes one or more touch sensors to sense touch, slide, and gestures on the touch panel. The touch sensor may not only sense the boundary of a touch or slide action, but also detect the duration and pressure associated with the touch or slide operation. In some embodiments, the multimedia component 64 includes a front facing camera and/or a rear facing camera. The front camera and/or the rear camera may receive external multimedia data when the mobile terminal 60 is in an operation mode, such as a photographing mode or a video mode. Each front camera and rear camera may be a fixed optical lens system or have a focal length and optical zoom capability.

The audio component 65 is configured to output and/or input an audio signal. For example, the audio component 65 may include a Microphone (MIC) configured to receive external audio signals when the mobile terminal 60 is in an operational mode, such as a call mode, a recording mode, and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signals may further be stored in the memory 62 or transmitted via the communication component 68. In some embodiments, audio assembly 65 also includes a speaker for outputting audio signals.

An input/output (I/O) interface 66 provides an interface between the processing assembly 61 and peripheral interface modules, which may be keyboards, click wheels, buttons, etc. These buttons may include, but are not limited to: a home button, a volume button, a start button, and a lock button.

The sensor assembly 67 includes one or more sensors for providing various aspects of status assessment for the mobile terminal 60. For example, the sensor assembly 67 may detect an open/closed state of the device, the relative positioning of the components, such as a display and keypad of the mobile terminal 60, the sensor assembly 67 may also detect a change in the position of the mobile terminal 60 or a component of the mobile terminal 60, the presence or absence of user contact with the mobile terminal 60, orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the mobile terminal 60, and a change in the temperature of the mobile terminal 60. The sensor assembly 67 may include a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of a nearby object without any physical contact. The sensor assembly 67 may also include a light sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD image sensor, for use in imaging applications. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly 67 may also include an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.

The communication component 68 is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between the mobile terminal 60 and other devices. The mobile terminal 60 may access a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as WiFi, 2G, 4G, 5G, or a combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication component 68 receives broadcast signals or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication component 68 further includes a Near Field Communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communications. For example, the NFC module may be implemented based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, infrared data association (IrDA) technology, Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology, Bluetooth (BT) technology, and other technologies.

In an exemplary embodiment, the mobile terminal 60 may be implemented by one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors 69 (DSPs), Digital Signal Processing Devices (DSPDs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors 69, or other electronic components for performing the above-described methods.

The present disclosure is to be considered as limited only by the preferred embodiments and not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit and scope of the disclosure are desired to be protected.

Claims

1. A folding apparatus, comprising a power assembly, at least one moving assembly connected to the power assembly, and at least one set of linkage assemblies movably connected to the moving assembly, the linkage assemblies being adapted to movably connect to a flexible panel, the power assembly being fixedly disposed relative to the flexible panel;

the moving assembly moves under the driving of the power assembly, the connecting rod assembly moves along with the moving assembly and rotates relative to the moving assembly, and at least part of the flexible panel moves under the pushing of the connecting rod assembly and is in a folded state or an unfolded state;

the connecting rod assembly comprises a left support rod and a right support rod which are respectively connected to the moving assembly, the left support rod and the right support rod are respectively connected to the flexible panel, and the left support rod and the right support rod are relatively unfolded or folded along with the movement of the moving assembly.

2. The folding apparatus of claim 1 wherein said power assembly drives said movement assembly to move in a straight line.

3. The folding apparatus of claim 2 wherein said power assembly is in screw-drive communication with said moving assembly.

4. The folding apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said power assembly includes a power member and a transmission member connected to said power member, at least one of said moving assemblies being connected to said transmission member, said power member driving said transmission member to rotate so as to move said at least one moving assembly in the direction of the axis of said transmission member.

5. The folding apparatus of claim 4 wherein said power assembly further includes a support member spaced from said power member, said drive member being mounted on said support member and being rotatably coupled to said support member.

6. The folding apparatus of claim 1, wherein said moving members are spaced apart by a predetermined distance and two or more, and said power assembly is capable of driving said moving members to move synchronously.

7. The folding device of claim 1, wherein each of the left and right struts includes a strut portion, a first connection end and a second connection end respectively located at two ends of the strut portion, the first connection end is movably connected to the moving assembly, and the second connection end is movably connected to the flexible panel.

8. Folding device according to claim 7, characterized in that the first and/or second connection end is provided with a spherical connection.

9. The folding apparatus of claim 1, wherein said left and right struts are symmetrically distributed.

10. The folding apparatus of claim 1, wherein said linkage assembly is spherically movably coupled to said moving assembly.

11. The folding apparatus of claim 1, wherein said moving assembly includes a moving body movably coupled to said power assembly and a rotating portion disposed on said moving body, said linkage assembly being rotatably coupled to said rotating portion.

12. The folding apparatus of claim 11, wherein said rotating portion includes at least one connecting boss protruding from said moving body, and said link assembly is rotatably connected to said connecting boss.

13. The folding apparatus of claim 12 wherein said attachment boss defines a spherical recess, said linkage assembly being movably attached to said spherical recess.

14. A display screen module comprising a flexible panel and at least one folding device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, the flexible panel being provided as a flexible display screen.

15. The display screen module of claim 14, wherein the flexible panel comprises a panel body and a bracket body mounted to the panel body, and the folding device is mounted to the bracket body and can drive the bracket body to fold or unfold so that the panel body is at a corresponding angle.

16. The display screen module of claim 15, wherein the bracket body comprises a first plate portion, a second plate portion, and a hinge portion connecting the first plate portion and the second plate portion, the power assembly being mounted to the hinge portion, the linkage assembly being movably connected to the first plate portion and the second plate portion.

17. The display screen module of claim 16, wherein the hinge portion comprises a first side link, a second side link, and at least one intermediate link disposed parallel to the first side link and the second side link, the first side link, the second side link, and the intermediate link being hingedly connected, the first panel portion being movably connected to the first side link, and the second panel portion being movably connected to the second side link.

18. The display screen module of claim 16, wherein the first plate portion defines at least one first connection portion and the second plate portion defines at least one second connection portion, the linkage assembly being movably coupled to the first and second connection portions, respectively.

19. The display screen module of claim 18, wherein the first coupling portion is provided with a first spherical coupling slot, the link assembly being rotatably coupled to the first spherical coupling slot; and/or, the second connecting part is provided with a second spherical connecting groove, and the connecting rod assembly is rotatably connected with the second spherical connecting groove.

20. The display screen module of claim 16, wherein the flexible panel further comprises at least one hinge assembly connecting the first panel portion, the second panel portion and the hinge portion such that the first panel portion, the second panel portion and the hinge portion are integrally connected and can rotate relative to each other.

21. The display screen module of claim 16, wherein the flexible panel further comprises at least one limiting member mounted to the hinge portion, the limiting members being connected to the first and second flat panel portions, respectively, to define a folded or unfolded dimension of the flexible panel.

22. A mobile terminal, characterized in that said mobile terminal comprises:

a processor;

a memory for storing processor-executable instructions;

wherein the mobile terminal further comprises a display screen module according to any one of claims 14 to 21.